Leah Williamson’s knee injury forces her to miss the start of the WSL season, a significant blow to Arsenal. After recovering from an ACL injury, this new setback is disheartening. Arsenal, who finished second last season, will rely on Lotte Wubben-Moy to fill the defensive void. The team begins their campaign against London City Lionesses, followed by tough matches against West Ham, Manchester United, and Aston Villa.
Arsenal's Women's Super League (WSL) campaign is set to begin on a challenging note as their star player and England captain, Leah Williamson, has been ruled out due to a knee injury. The news comes as a significant blow to the Gunners, who are aiming to mount a serious title challenge this season after finishing second, far behind Chelsea, in the previous campaign.
Williamson's injury woes began after she reported back to the club following the Euro 2025 final, where she experienced swelling in her right knee. This led to her absence from Arsenal's pre-season training camp in Germany, raising concerns about the severity of the issue. Further medical assessments confirmed the unfortunate news that she would be sidelined for the start of the WSL season.
This setback is particularly disheartening for Williamson, who has battled her way back from a previous anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury that kept her out of action for an extended period. After guiding the Lionesses to victory in the 2022 European Championships, she suffered the ACL injury in 2023, forcing her to miss the World Cup. Her resilience and determination to return to the pitch were evident when she made her comeback in early 2024, showcasing her leadership and skill once again.
During the last WSL season, Williamson played a crucial role for Arsenal, making 19 appearances and contributing to seven clean sheets. Her defensive prowess and ability to command the backline were instrumental in the team's success. Notably, she also played the entirety of Arsenal's Women's Champions League final victory over Barcelona, helping the club secure their second title in Europe's premier club competition.
What it means to our Women’s #ballondor nominees!
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) August 8, 2025
Arsenal's first match of the 2025-26 WSL season is against newly-promoted London City Lionesses on September 6. Following this, they have challenging fixtures against West Ham United, Manchester United, and Aston Villa later in the month. Williamson's absence will undoubtedly be felt in these crucial early matches.
In Williamson's absence, manager Renee Slegers is likely to turn to Lotte Wubben-Moy, who recently signed a new contract with the club, to fill the void in central defense. Wubben-Moy's opportunity to step up and prove her worth to the team. Her ability to perform under pressure and maintain a solid defensive structure will be vital for Arsenal's chances of success.
The injury to Leah Williamson serves as a stark reminder of the physical demands placed on professional footballers, and the importance of squad depth. Arsenal will need to rely on their other players to step up and fill the void left by their captain's absence. How they cope with this challenge will be a key factor in determining their fortunes in the upcoming WSL season.
Arsenal fans will be hoping for a swift recovery for Williamson. She is an inspiration to many, and her presence on the pitch is greatly missed. As the WSL season approaches, Arsenal will need to find a way to overcome this setback and continue their pursuit of the title.